Helper lied about her age

Posted by Nuri (102 days ago)

I hired a new helper 3 weeks ago. I was looking for someone in her early 30s as previously i had bad experience with two helpers in their early 20s. They were far too inmature. Age was a very important criterion.

My new helper, Indonesian, showed her ID during the interview 2 months ago and I reconfirmed with her that she is 30 years old.

Today she told me that she is actually 23. She said she was 18 when she got her first contract in Singapore but since the law does not allow helpers younger than 25 working in Singapore she got a fake passport in Indonesia. She said that a lot of helpers do this to get jobs. Unfortunately, when it comes to asian faces, I can not estimate a person's age.

I feel disappointed and dicieved. Also, I don't get why she told me this.

I am not sure what to do. I am willing to see whether things are going to work between us but I hate to realise that this relationship started with lies. It's not a good start at all.

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Posted by GreenValleys (101 days ago)

You always have the option to terminate the contract at any time with one month's notice. Summary dismissal is not warranted in the circumstances. I'd tell her why I'm unhappy and let her know she needs to prove to you she can act like the person she purports to be. (Gosh, I know several 30+ year olds I wouldn't allow to care for my children because of their lack of sense/judgement.). See how it goes and either relax or terminate the contract. Unfortunately the false passport thing (or using someone else's) is not uncommon.

Posted by cc77 (101 days ago)

How did she come out telling you her real age? Was there any confrontation? Well, the case of your indonesian helper isn't uncommon. Met lots of indonesians who I'm pretty sure they're just in their 20's but when asked they will say 28 to 35. Many Indonesians got their passports faked.

People are different anyway. I was only 23 when started to work in hk. Fortunately, my boss was satisfied with my work and even asked me to come back anytime. She hired 2 for my replacement and were both fired (both in their early 20's). Why not try this one for a couple of months since you didnt mention that shes doing a good work or not. But frankly tell her that you expect her to be honest till the end of her contract (that is IF you are still willing to keep her).

: )

Posted by davidebard6md (97 days ago)

that she told you the truth spontaneously seems a good point to her score.
if she works ok maybe you could keep her?

Posted by adele78 (93 days ago)

ask yourself this...if she's never told you and you'd never found out, would you be satisfied with her work?

I agree that I'm a totally different person today aged 30 to what I was at 23 but my brother who is now aged 24 is not nearly as mature as I was at 17 so it can be an idividual thing that can't really be generalized.